Clemson wins shootout with North Carolina State

By Eric Boynton | Halifax Media Group

Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 07:06 PM.

Morris heaped plenty of praise on his offensive line, which not only opened the way for the Tigers to once again top 300 yards rushing and throwing (328 and 446), but didn’t allow a sack against a defense that led the ACC and was ranked 10thnationally after having downed the quarterback 18 times over the past five games.

“It all starts with the offensive line and that needs mentioning,” said Morris, who was especially pleased that after all the fast-paced scoring the line led a methodical 14-play, 50-yard drive – all via the ground – that ate up the final 7:35 of the game with Clemson ahead by 14.

“We talked about how we were going to milk the clock that last series and we needed first downs,” Morris said. “Whatever we had to do to create them we were going to do.”

In a game that was an affront to defenses across the land, Clemson and North Carolina State stretched the capabilities of the Death Valley scoreboard Saturday.

Clemson’s 62-48 victory was an accountant’s dream, with numbers accumulating so quickly that records began to fall on seemingly every other play during a scoring display never before witnessed at the 71-year-old stadium.

The Tigers (10-1, 7-1 ACC) recorded their first 10-win regular season since 1981 and extended their record home winning streak to 13 games. The combined points were the most ever in an ACC game and the most ever at Death Valley. The teams combined for 1,351 yards, the most ever in a Clemson game. State’s Mike Glennon threw for the most-ever yards against Clemson with 493.

The Tigers trailed the Wolfpack 24-13 in the second quarter – their largest deficit since a Sept. 22 loss at Florida State – before reeling off 42 consecutive points to seize command away from the upstart visitors.

“What an incredible game,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We made it harder than it had to be and we gave them a couple of sparks. It’s a good thing, though, because we haven’t faced a lot of adversity as of late. I’m very proud of everyone for handling adversity and finding a way to win.”

Of course that adversity was fleeting once the Tigers’ offense revved up to full capacity.

Clemson has made a habit of jumping on teams from the opening kick, forcing opposing defenses back on their heels and going up big well before halftime.

State did a solid job of holding Clemson to a pair of field goals sandwiched around quarterback Tajh Boyd’s 4-yard touchdown run as the Tigers took a 13-0 lead less than eight minutes in. Glennon then quickly displayed his strong-armed prowess by throwing touchdown passes of 77, 49 and 18 yards over the next 5:37 to give State a 21-13 advantage. A 32-yard field goal extended the lead to 24-13 early in the second quarter, and suddenly the air was let out of the Memorial Stadium stands – but not the sideline.

“Nobody ever flinched, nobody ever blinked, it was ‘we got this,’” Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris said. “There was unbelievable confidence on the sidelines in all aspects even when we trailed early in the game. It was all about let’s do what we do. That’s what we’re here for, whatever it takes.”

What it took to overcome State’s impressive 597 total yards was a monstrous 754-yard effort by the Tigers, the second-largest in school history and seventh most ever in the ACC, as Boyd spent so much time in the end zone he could’ve set up lodging and paid rent.

The junior accounted for an ACC record eight touchdowns, with three coming among his 103 rushing yards and five among his 30 of 44 passing for 426 yards. Andre Ellington ran 22 times for 124 yards, while Sammy Watkins (11 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half) and tight end Brandon Ford (five catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns) both topped 100 receiving yards.

Clemson’s 42-0 spurt began with 12:52 left in the first half and ended when State finally scored with 3:55 left in the third. Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Martavis Bryant and Ford all caught touchdown passes while Boyd ran one in from nine yards.

“Clemson’s not a good matchup for us,” Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien said. “But we left too many points on the board, way too many opportunities to score. You get a little bit closer or slow (Clemson) down once, but they had too much skill for us I guess.”

Morris heaped plenty of praise on his offensive line, which not only opened the way for the Tigers to once again top 300 yards rushing and throwing (328 and 446), but didn’t allow a sack against a defense that led the ACC and was ranked 10thnationally after having downed the quarterback 18 times over the past five games.

“It all starts with the offensive line and that needs mentioning,” said Morris, who was especially pleased that after all the fast-paced scoring the line led a methodical 14-play, 50-yard drive – all via the ground – that ate up the final 7:35 of the game with Clemson ahead by 14.

“We talked about how we were going to milk the clock that last series and we needed first downs,” Morris said. “Whatever we had to do to create them we were going to do.”